When The Local Answer was invited for a sneak peek behind the curtain at Giffords Circus, it’s safe to say I was more than a little nervous that I’d end up getting shot out of a cannon or swung from a trapeze.

Luckily the only thing I was asked to do was to join Tweedy the Clown, the Head of Choreography Kate Bradford and Social Media Manager Emma Bradshaw in the centre ring dancing to the Mamas and Papas as a Cuban circus troupe rehearsed around us.

That was day two of rehearsals for the Giffords Circus 2019 tour, which begins this month on Friday 3rd May at Fennells Farm in Stroud.

The farm acts as the base of operations, and I’m shown around by Emma, who explains what’s being done before the show gets underway.

“We’ve just started rehearsals which will go on for three weeks,” she said.

“We’re a touring circus so we’ve got to get all the circus wagons ready, including our travelling restaurant, as well as costumes, the sets, the tent, our horses and loads more.”

We enter a huge barn which is a hive of activity, with chefs prepping meals for the company, performers enjoying a well-earned break, and handymen and painters working on the traditional wagons that are used for transport and living accommodation.

“We’ve upcycled lorries into accommodation,” explained Emma. “One coach used to be used for transporting furniture, and another I think was for bread deliveries!”

The finished stagecoaches are a gleaming burgundy colour and are all hand painted – they have seven layers of paint with each layer taking up to a day to apply, before being finished off by sign painters with the Giffords Circus insignia.

Upstairs I was shown into a very classified room – the costume department.

Each year the circus follows a certain theme, last year being ‘My Beautiful Circus’ in honour of 250 years of the circus.

This year’s show is called Xanadu and will be a celebration of the summer of love and the flower power movement of the 60s and 70s.

It’s safe to say the costume department has things under control, with their room filled to the brim with outfits bursting with colours and patterns reminiscent of the hippy era.

We then headed out to the stables, home to Diamond, Cecil - founder Nell Gifford’s horse, who Nell’s daughter Red named after her twin brother, and Max and Percy, two Eriskay ponies.

“During the year the horses are out in the fields,” explained Emma, “we’ve just brought them in to get them ready for the shows.

“They’re used to the crowd’s applause and cheering, and Diamond especially knows he’s the star of the show. Red will be making her first appearance this year with her mother Nell presenting the show.”

Nell Gifford founded her circus in the year 2000, making next year a special landmark as they celebrate 20 years of performing.

It’s especially significant for Nell, who has battled with breast cancer in recent years, and continued with the show whilst receiving treatment.

As the tour continued into the main tent, I was introduced to Nell, who understandably was rushing about trying to organise various things.

Inside the famous tent, which can hold up to 600 audience members, the ring was being prepared for an upcoming rehearsal, with director Cal McCrystal.

Cal’s credits include directing West End shows and working as a comedy consultant on films including both Paddington movies – the second of which he also had an acting cameo in.

He joined Giffords as director in 2012 and calls the role “one of the most joyful ongoing relationships of my career.”

Emma added: “Cal’s job is to get all the different acts from all around the world to come together and make the show perfect.”

And with performers from Cuba, Italy, Russia, Hungary and more, it’s a no mean feat getting everybody singing from the same song sheet.

Most of the show is being kept under wraps ready for the big reveal on opening night, however audiences can expect plenty of fun, laughs, and excitement.

There will even be live music from the Giffords Circus band, who will be adding to the atmosphere with psychedelic classics.

The Xanadu tour begins at Fennells Farm and after two weeks hits the road, visiting other places in Gloucestershire including Sudeley Castle, Minchinhampton Common and Stratton Fields in Cirencester, before returning to their base for another 10 days of shows in September.

For the full line-up of dates, tickets and more information visit www.giffordscircus.com